Pastor Claims Muslim Reps. Will Make House Floor ‘Look Like An Islamic Republic’

A conservative pastor, who was the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor of Virginia in 2013 and lost a Republican primary bid for Senate in May, made bigoted claims on his radio show this week, arguing that Muslims should not be allowed to serve in Congress.

Suggesting it was “just beyond the pale” that a Muslim could be elected, Bishop E.W. Jackson argued that America is a “Judeo-Christian country” and said the “floor of Congress” will now “look like an Islamic republic.”

“We are a nation rooted and grounded in Christianity and that’s that. And anybody that doesn’t like that, go live somewhere else,” he said. “It’s very simple. Just go live somewhere else. Don’t try to change our country into some sort of Islamic republic or try to base our country on Sharia law.”

“The fact that we’re electing these people to Congress and electing them to office is just beyond the pale,” he continued. “Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe in the freedom of religion, I believe in the First Amendment, but I’ll tell you what, I’m not voting for a Muslim to serve in any office. Me, personally, I’m not doing it. … The threat to humanity is not merely radical Islam, the threat to humanity is Islam, period.”

The comments appear to come in reaction to news that Democrats have asked for a change to the House’s floor dress code rules abut headwear to accommodate newly elected Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who wear hijabs.